Will a pre-load after market rear shock replace the need for the air bag?

[RayBJ]

My '20 RT Base pre-load air bag won't hold air. I'm a 'spirited' solo rider and have Elkas and BajaRon's bar up front.

My options:
- Replace bag with OEM bag and leaving OEM shock (40k mi) in place.
or
- Replace OEM shock with a pre-load and rebound shock and ignore the bag.

My question is, will the after market pre-load be strong enough to eliminate the need for the bag?

 

[jcthorne]

Yes if you order the rear Elka with a load spring sized for that. Have installed a number of them that way and disabled the air bag system.

 

[RayBJ]

Thank you!

 

[troop]

Get this one - I bought one a few years back for my past 2019 F3S, thru Ted Porter. Awesome shock with beautiful craftsmanship.

https://www.martinthevlogger.com/pr...rt20-present-precision-with-hydraulic-preload

 

[Peteoz]

As per James Thorne’s comment above, I had no need of the airbag in my ‘21 RT after I installed an aftermarket (Ikon) shock.

Pete

 

[Mikey]

If I lived on the other side of the pond, I would buy the Ikon also!

 

[Peter Aawen]

If I lived on the other side of the pond, I would buy the Ikon also!

There's a USA Supplier for IKON shocks in Bedford PA. Check 'em out at the link below:

www.ikonsuspensionusa.com

 

[troop]

There's a USA Supplier for IKON shocks in Bedford PA. Check 'em out at the link below:

www.ikonsuspensionusa.com

Yup ... And he's very helpful. He gets his stuff direct from Ikon AU. I sent a note to him yesterday regarding rear shock 3610-1084 for my 2022 RT S2S. I'll post up what I hear from him.

 

[troop]

Sadly, the Ikon rear shock is not available from the USA supplier

Hello Jeff,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Ikon mono shock for the Can Am Spyder.
Unfortunately, we made the decision to stop importing the Ikon mono shock range about a year ago, therefore we're unable to assist with your request.
We do however stock the front shocks for the Spyders.
Cheers,
Roger"

 

[BajaRon]

Find someone you can trust to send you one from Down Under. But consider warranty and servicing might be an issue if it ever comes to it.

 

[Mikey]

There's a USA Supplier for IKON shocks in Bedford PA. Check 'em out at the link below:

www.ikonsuspensionusa.com

I am having a good time with Elka, thanks anyway!!!

 

[RayBJ]

I ordered the Elka from Lamonster on Monday.
They shipped same day and ETA is this Friday so I should be back on the road by Saturday.
Hard to beat the turn-around. Thank you Lamonster!

 

[troop]

Looking at a Wilber 640 rear shock from Ted Porter. Cost for the Stage 2 is $757 and the 640 with remote hydraulic preload is $1090. Being a 100% solo rider, I'd likely opt for the Stage 2 and have it valved/sprung for my weight/luggage. That said, my 2022 was bought as a left over and has (4) seasons of warranty left. My air bag is working just fine. In this instance, is there any reason not to continue using the electronic airbag?

 

[LMFD38]

Looking at a Wilber 640 rear shock from Ted Porter. Cost for the stage 2 is $757 and the 640 with remote hydraulic preload is $1090. Being a 100% solo rider, I'd likely opt for the stage 2 and have it valved/sprung for my weight/luggage. That said, my 2022 was bought as a left over and has (4) seasons of warranty left. My air bag is working just fine. In this instance, is their any reason not to continue using the electronic airbag?
View attachment 212054

Curious to know if you go this route. The airbag/valve/air line on my wife's RT has a slow leak, so I have to inflate it every time she rides. I would like to not have to use it if possible. I too am leaning towards Wilbers, as that is what I have upgraded to on my BMW two-wheelers through Ted Porter.

 

[troop]

Curious to know if you go this route. The airbag/valve/air line on my wife's RT has a slow leak, so I have to inflate it every-time she rides. I would like to not have to use it if possible. I too am leaning towards Wilbers, as that is what I have upgraded to on my BMW two-wheelers through Ted Porter.

I bought my Wilbers HPA shock thru Ted Porter a few years back. Great shock! Being a 100% solo rider, with load only varying a couple times a year for luggage, I'd go with the threaded adjuster only. I'd maybe fudge a few extra pounds on the build and call it good. If I was a two up rider, I'd certainly go with the hydraulic preload adjuster model. My airbag works fine, and being under warranty for (4) years, I'd get it fixed if need be.

 

[RayBJ]

My airbag works fine, and being under warranty for (4) years, I'd get it fixed if need be.

Yeah, I still have 6 months left on my BEST but I really, really don't trust dealers. This gave me the excuse to upgrade the rear shock to match the Elka fronts and I'm able to do the work. If something 'big' comes up, I'll force myself to visit the dealer.

 

[Peteoz]

Find someone you can trust to send you one from Down Under. But consider warranty and servicing might be an issue if it ever comes to it.

…and shipping cost, Ron! Don’t forget the shipping cost from Oz to US. Lamont’s bolt kit to keep the mirrors on was pretty small. About $20 for the kit, and $80 shipping. I’d hate to think what an individual rear shock would cost!

Pete

 

[troop]

…and shipping cost, Ron! Don’t forget the shipping cost from Oz to US. Lamont’s bolt kit to keep the mirrors on was pretty small. About $20 for the kit, and $80 shipping. I’d hate to think what an individual rear shock would cost!

Pete

I just heard back from Geoff at Ikon AU. He advised that they would sell/ship the 3610-1084 RT rear shock to the USA for $567/shipped. That is a nice price! I'm sure Ikon USA wouldn't cover any warranty issues, but they'd likely service them if need be.
** Nope .. Ikon USA won't even service them. **

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

I bought my Wilbers HPA shock thru Ted Porter a few years back. Great shock! Being a 100% solo rider, with load only varying a couple times a year for luggage, I'd go with the threaded adjuster only. I'd maybe fudge a few extra pounds on the build and call it good. If I was a two up rider, I'd certainly go with the hydraulic preload adjuster model. My airbag works fine, and being under warranty for (4) years, I'd get it fixed if need be.

View attachment 212056

I thought that EPM Performance parts were the only authorized reseller that Wilbers works with in the US?

At least that is the redirect you go to when trying to order from Wilbers website.

 

[troop]

I thought that EPM Performance parts were the only authorized reseller that Wilbers works with in the US?

At least that is the redirect you go to when trying to order from Wilbers website.

Ted Porter Beemer USA is also an authorized USA Wilbers dealer.

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